The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1887-05-27

later, | met the major in the prison Office and
#eminded him of his promise. He replied,
certainly turned to the safe, took the pack
age out unbroken and handed it to me.
The prison life has been described so often
there is nothing new to be said. The first
thing did on reaching Washington was to
rid myself of certain unpleasant prison re-
membranes. Then securing 100 Chronicles
started for Aqua creek, where the brigade
lay, and twenty-four hours later was in the
nlkist of the boys, who had given up seeing
me again.
When the army was on the march I at
fached myself to the headquarters baggage
wagons. In that way Travelled down
through the peninsula and arrived with Burn
ode before Fredericksburg. had good
yaeW OF the terrible assault which followed.
i with other non-combatants occupied posi-
tion on the bluffs opposite the town. From
there we had clear view of the. troops as
they moved to the assault. 1t was a grand
sight when they first went into action. The
long line deployed as if on parade, and then,
with colors streaming, moved forward on a
run. Clear and distinct came their sYih-yi-
yi-i-i,' the well known char ging cry It
could be heard high above the thunder of the
artillery and cracking of small arms Ranks
went down, but on went the blue columns
EARLY in the fight my attention was at
tracted by the frantic efforts of an artillery
man nearly opposite me, to save one of his
guns. The battery, l afterward learned, was
the Washington light artillery of New
Orleans The artilleryman had four splendid
horses, and was on the point of getting away
with his piece when the Union troops came
pouring over the top of the slope An instant
more and he would have been captured
Drawing his saber he made two sweeping
cuts, cleared himself from the gun and away
be went like flying cloud.
San hour or SO after myself and several
comrades managed to pass the guards and
get across the river. I was drawn by fas-
cination l could not resist to where I saw the
artilleryman trying to save his gun. There,
lying behind it, found wounded gunner.
He had been struck by piece of a shell in
the shoulder and was in great agony. ran
down to a well near by and hastily filed nv
canteen with fresh water / gave him q
drink and then tried to make him as comfort
able as could.
"Boy rs was was much impressed with
remark he let fall while the cold sweat wl11np
by the terrible pain of his wound stood on
his brow. l was bathing his shoulder III the
best manner I could when he cried, oh!
can't see why this thing couldn't be settled
-Oh-h! !-resorting to this do Is way
of fighting. Poor fellow! managed to find
one of our ambulances and had him conveyed
to the hospital. We exchanged cards and
promised to correspond, but I lost the card
and that was the last l ever heard Of him,
His words, however, rang in my ears for
many day.
"Did newsboys ever get under fire? Not If
they could help it. I was under fire Just
once at Gettysburg, on the first day of the
fight. We had not been able to get any
papers for week or more. I had been ahead
with scouting parties all that time in hopes to
meet one of the army agents maintained by
all the leading papers in the field. But up to
the morning the fight commenced had been
unsuccessful. That morning an agent ar
rived with supply of Philadelphia and New
York papers. Before I could get my order
fihed the battle had opened and the brigade
was away up i'll front So went back with
the headquarters teams and waited
"After time the firing ceased all along the
line. | thought that would be a fine oppor-
tunity to sell out and get back before fighting
commenced again. So, digging spurs into
my horse away I Went on a sharp gallop
after the brigade. I found them i'm front of
Cemetery gate, standing at ease and waiting
for the next move.
"The minute came up they surrounded me,
and for minute OF two had all could do
to supply the demand for papers.
~ had sold perhaps 2OO when all at once
the Confederate artillery along the whole line
opened fire. To my excited Imagination it
seemed as il every gun was aimed at Gene
terry gate. came to the conclusion in sec
ond that that was the poorest kind of place
for news stand, and gathered up the reins
preparatory to taking a hurried departure.
But there all obstacle to the plan.
''The boys wouldn't let ME go.
"They seized the horse by the head and re-
fused to let him bulge an inch until all GUS
TONERS had been supplied.
"Soine OF them enjoyed My discontinue
hugely.
@.Gant you stand a little fire like this, Doc,
after having been with us SO long time?
they cried.
'!Little fire. indeed 1t seemed as if there
was iron enough being hurled about there to
destroy dozen armies.
II didn't wait to reply, but grasping all the
remaining papers with one hand I gave them
toss to one side, and, as the crowd sprang
lot tHelt, hueeteu my uoISe ana ScufTfe0
away alta racing Pare, which did not let up |
until hal iiut that hill between myself ard |
the Confederate batteries. That was the last |
time ever attempted to do business with a |
line of battle
"sDid I ever lose much? No. OF course |
there were times down at the front when cash |
was not plenty. 1t was almost pitiful then to |
see the great, big fellows stand around dig |
ging their toes into the dirt while more for |
tunate comrades secured papers. Pretty soon
one Of them would sidle up and say: I'd like |
to buy a paper first rate, Doc, if ! had any |
money, but l haven't cent"
"'Who said anything about money? Want |
paperF
ayes, but won't have any money until |
the paymaster comes.' a
"'All right; pay then
"Away they would go. When pay day /
came the first one they looked up was the |
newsboy. Why, only few months ago |
was accosted by a one armed veteran who /
asked Can you tell me where can find
Doc AubreyP
Know himg
q 4 used to twenty years or more ago down
on the peninsular. owe him $1.50 for papers
bought of him then, and I want to pay |
him.
~ introduced myself and we had long
chat"
The ex-newsboy is an enthusiast on Grand
Army matters, and is known among members
of that organization all over the country.
GEORGE P. MATHERs.
AN IRISH TEXAN NEW YORKER.